NEI Nuclear Notes

Exelon chief John Rowe isn’t very worried about new regulations on the company’s nuclear energy facilities: "We're not in any panic at all," John Rowe, chairman and CEO of Chicago-based Exelon Corp. told investors on an earnings call. Well, why not? Rowe said the company's "worst fears" -- changes to the nuclear licensing process; mandates that would increase security personnel; or standards that would lower the amount of time spent nuclear fuel can be stored in cooling pools -- (all potential big ticket items for Exelon) so far haven't surfaced. "We don't at the moment see anything that has a major impact on the economics of these plants," he said. He’s referring to the findings and recommendations of the NRC’s 90-day review report of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. It’s still early in the process of learning all the lessons that the accident will teach, and Rowe doesn’t mention that the September 11, 2001 terrorist...

In an interesting story in today’s USA Today , Julie Schmit profiles Exelon’s chairman, John Rowe. He’s always worth attending to on nuclear issues, though the selection of quotes here is, shall we say, a little strange: "I'm very depressed." "My dad felt about cows the way I feel about nuclear plants. They're a business, not a passion." "We're constantly looking for something dead in the plains." We’ll let you read the article for the context of these quotes – you’re probably curious about what’s dead in the plains. We will let you know that Rowe is depressed about the prospect for a climate change bill this year, yet confident there will be a bill because climate change concerns won’t end.  And Rowe insists climate legislation will be good for the environment as well as Exelon, which generates 92 percent of its electricity through nuclear energy. We always admire Rowe for his very frank assessments and this article captures tha...

NPR's Richard Harris talks to former NRC Chairman Dick Meserve, EPRI's Tom TerBush and Union of Concerned Scientists' Ellen Vanko in his balanced piece on nuclear energy on this morning's Morning Edition program. And here is an excellent interview with Exelon CEO and Chairman John Rowe on CNBC this morning discussing, in part, how Exelon's investment in nuclear energy has the company well positioned to tackle the climate change challenge. Listen, watch and learn.

Adhering to Friday YouTube Fun precedent , we serve up the vegetables before the ice cream sundae. Two new ad campaigns caught our eye this week. The Alliance for Nevada's Economic Prosperity released two spots promoting the economic benefits of the Yucca Mountain project. The group seeks to reposition Yucca Mt. as a center for nuclear research and reprocessing, instead of a long-term storage facility. Somewhat unlikely advertising partners, Exelon and Environmental Defense Action Fund have teamed up to launch a national TV, print, and online campaign. Titled " a Smart Cap ," the ads tout the benefits of a national cap on carbon emissions. Exelon CEO John Rowe makes the pitch, delivering the tag line, "You'll be surprised." And now your YouTube sundae: an episode from the Walt Disney Science series from 1957, "Our Friend the Atom," introduced by Mr. Disney himself. Fifty plus years later, the animation still holds up.